VehicleVerdict

1999 Mercury Mystique problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 169 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.7 times the median Mystique year — the 1999 model ranks #4 of 9 Mystique years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 15 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across body & structure (28), brakes (27), and other (20), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

169

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

16

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

15

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Mystique years?

Mystique NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted524 complaints1994: 2 complaints1995: 524 complaints1996: 303 complaints1997: 100 complaints1998: 326 complaints1999: 169 complaints2000: 81 complaints2001: 2 complaints2002: 3 complaints
Mystique NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mystique years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Mercury Mystique problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure2817%
Brakes2716%
Other2012%
Engine1811%
Electrical System169%
Visibility & Wipers148%
Fuel System74%
Airbags64%
Suspension64%
Speed Control53%
Steering53%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)42%
Lighting42%
Transmission42%
Seat Belts21%
Tires & Wheels11%
Latches & Locks11%
Seats11%

Does the 1999 Mercury Mystique have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08E033000SuspensionApril 14, 2008 · 6,903 units

Defect

FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.

Consequence

THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.

06E022000BrakesMarch 13, 2006 · 7,440 units

Defect

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.

Consequence

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.

00V075000BrakesMarch 9, 2000 · 436,200 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). A PRESSURE CONSCIOUS REDUCING VALVE (PCRV) IN THE REAR BRAKES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CORROSION AND RESULT IN MALFUNCTION, WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS THAT USE SALT COMPOUNDS ON THE ROADWAY FOR DE-ICING OR DUST CONTROL.

Consequence

IF BOTH PCRV'S MALFUNCTION, VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED DURING BRAKING AS A RESULT OF THE REAR WHEELS LOCKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED PCRV'S IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS RECALL WAS EXPANDED IN SEPTEMBER 2000 TO INCLUDE 1999 AND 2000 FORD CONTOUR, MERCURY MYSTIQUE AND COUGAR VEHICLES.

99V060000Electrical SystemMarch 17, 1999 · 4,569 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WHICH UTILIZE A PARK/LOCK SOLENOID. IT IS POSSIBLE TO ROTATE THE IGNITION KEY TO THE LOCK POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT THE SHIFT LEVER AND TRANSMISSION BEING IN PARK. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES. VEHICLES THAT HAVE UNITS WITH IGNITION KEYS REMOVABLE IN GEAR POSITIONS OTHER THAN PARK, WILL HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT BY AN 18-WHEELER TRUCK. THE MOST OBVIOUS PROBLEM IS THAT THE BUMPER IS SO ROUNDED THAT THE TRUCK'S FENDER RODE UP ON THE BUMPER AND DID MOST OF THE DAMAGE TO THE TRUNK/TAIL LIGHT AREA. I BRING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION BECAUSE I DO NOT BELIEVE ANYONE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · October 11, 1999 · crash

“CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK, AND WHEN SHE PLACED RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKES, AUTOMOBILE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND INCREASED THE RPMS, CAUSING AUTOMOBILE TO ADVANCE FORWARD. IT JUMPED THE CONCRETE. *AK THE BRAKE COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE BUT WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED, THE GAS PEDAL WENT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 15, 2000 · crash

“AFTER THE CAR WAS ABOUT 5 YEARS OLD THE DASHBOARD WARPED. IT CAME UP ABOUT 3 INCHES AND COVERS ABOUT 10% OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT ALSO WILL NOT HOLD THE DEFROSTER DEFLECTOR TRIM SO IT HAD TO BE REMOVED. I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM FORD (MERCURY)ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND FEEL IT IS THEIR PROBLEM TO REPAIR AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 16, 2004

“MY HUSBAND AND I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC FROM AN APPOINTMENT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTS SMOKING WITHIN A QUICK SECOND THE FRONT LEFT SIDE BURST INTO FLAMES, ELECTRICAL WINDOWS WOULDN'T WORK AND THE BRAKES FAILED, THE WE HAD TO RIDE TRAFFIC UNTIL WE COULD MOVE OVER TO THE CURVE AT THIS TIME…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 28, 2008 · fire

“MY HUSBAND AND I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC FROM AN APPOINTMENT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTS SMOKING WITHIN A QUICK SECOND THE FRONT LEFT SIDE BURST INTO FLAMES, ELECTRICAL WINDOWS WOULDN'T WORK AND THE BRAKES FAILED, THE WE HAD TO RIDE TRAFFIC UNTIL WE COULD MOVE OVER TO THE CURVE AT THIS TIME…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 28, 2008 · fire

1999 Mercury Mystique — common questions

Is the 1999 Mercury Mystique reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 169 complaints put the 1999 model at #4 of 9 Mystique years. It is one of the Mystique years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 Mystique problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (28 complaints), brakes (27 complaints), other (20 complaints).

Does the 1999 Mercury Mystique have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Mercury Mystique. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 Mercury Mystique under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mercury Mystique years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Mystique years to avoid are 1995, 1998, 1996, 1999. The cleanest record among Mystique years belongs to 2001.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.